AshMap
Overview
Few cigars command the reverence of the Montecristo No. 2. It is, without hyperbole, the archetypal torpedo — the shape against which all others are measured, and a perennial benchmark for Cuban craftsmanship. Hailing from the hallowed H. Upmann factory in Havana (once the La Corona facility), this 6.1 x 52 Piramide is a study in precision and patience. Its construction demands the highest tier of torcedor skill: the tapered closed foot requires exact bunching to ensure an even burn and optimal draw as the smoker navigates from a narrow head to a generous ring gauge. The reward is a smoking experience that unfolds in deliberate, complex acts, revealing the soul of Vuelta Abajo terroir. The wrapper — a silky, Colorado-hued leaf from the San Luis and San Juan y Martínez regions — glows with a subtle reddish sheen, hinting at the depth within. Underneath lies a binder and filler blend of Seco, Ligero, and Volado leaves, aged for a minimum of two years before rolling. This aging tempers the Ligero’s fire while letting the Volado’s aromatic sweetness and the Seco’s creaminess harmonize. The result is a cigar of medium strength (3/5) that prioritizes complexity over brute force. From the first light, the No. 2 reveals a refined creaminess — toasted almonds, white pepper, and fresh cedar give way to sweet hay, mild cocoa, and a faint dried-rose florality. As the burn reaches the torpedo’s widest point, the drama intensifies: rich espresso, dark chocolate, leather, and honeyed dates emerge, a symphony of earth and sweetness that defines the cigar’s legendary second third. The finale turns darker — charred oak, black pepper, and a mineral edge — yet the sweetness never fully retreats, leaving a long, dry cocoa finish. This is a cigar that demands attention, rewarding the patient smoker with a narrative arc as compelling as any in the premium cigar world. It is not merely a smoke; it is a meditation on Cuban tobacco at its finest.
Cigar Specifications
| Wrapper | Cuban — Vuelta Abajo, Seco and Ligero leaves, San Luis and San Juan y Martínez regions — Colorado |
|---|---|
| Binder | Cuban — Vuelta Abajo |
| Filler | Cuban — Vuelta Abajo Seco, Ligero, and Volado leaves; aged a minimum of two years at the H. Upmann factory |
| Country of Origin | Havana, Cuba — H. Upmann Factory (La Corona) |
| Vitola / Shape | Torpedo (Piramide) |
| Size | 6.1 x 52 |
| Strength | Medium |
| Price | $45–$65 per cigar (MSRP varies significantly by market; UK/EU LCDH pricing differs from grey/secondary market) |
| Tier | Prestige |
| Aging | Minimum two years of leaf aging pre-rolling; benefits substantially from post-production box aging of 3–5 years; seasone |
Tasting Notes & Flavor Progression
First Third
The tapered head opens with a refined creaminess — toasted almonds, white pepper, and a distinctive Cuban earthiness underscored by fresh cedar. As the coal establishes, sweet hay, mild cocoa, and a faint floral note (dried rose) emerge. Retrohale delivers a clean white pepper spice with no harshness.
Second Third
Complexity intensifies markedly — the creaminess evolves into rich espresso and dark chocolate, joined by leather, dried fruit (dates, raisins), and a honeyed sweetness that balances the earthy backbone. The ring gauge opening into the torpedo's widest point dramatically opens the draw and amplifies flavor saturation. This is where the cigar earns its legendary reputation.
Final Third
The final third turns toward deeper, more robust territory — dark roast coffee, charred oak, black pepper, and a subtle mineral quality emerge. The sweetness recedes slightly but never disappears, maintaining balance. The finish is long, complex, and persistently earthy with a satisfying dry cocoa aftertaste that lingers for minutes.
Construction, Burn & Draw
Construction is exemplary — the piramide cut (a straight cut just above the shoulder is preferred over a V-cut) delivers a slightly firm but highly satisfying draw with excellent smoke volume. The burn is even and deliberate given the tapered foot; a careful light is essential. Ash holds in firm, dense columns of 1–1.5 inches, and the burn line self-corrects well.
Pairing Recommendations
Spirit
Aged Cuban rum (Havana Club 15-Year or Santiago de Cuba Extra Añejo) is the canonical pairing — the rum's vanilla and molasses complement the cigar's earthy sweetness perfectly. Single malt Scotch from Speyside (Glenfarclas 15 or Aberlour 16) also works brilliantly, adding sherry-dried fruit synergy.
Wine
A structured Rioja Gran Reserva (Muga or López de Heredia Viña Tondonia) or a mid-weight Brunello di Montalcino — the cigar's earthiness and leather notes resonate beautifully with Tempranillo and Sangiovese tannins without overpowering the Cuban terroir.
Non-Alcoholic
A freshly pulled double espresso — preferably a Cuban-style cortadito — mirrors the cigar's roasted cocoa and earthy tones with uncanny harmony. Alternatively, a high-quality single-origin dark roast cold brew amplifies the chocolate midpalate.
Who Should Smoke This?
The Montecristo No. 2 is for the seasoned aficionado who values complexity over power and understands that a great cigar unfolds in chapters, not bursts. It rewards the patient smoker — one willing to commit 90 to 100 uninterrupted minutes to a contemplative ritual. This is not a cigar for the golf course or a busy commute; it is a destination smoke, best suited for a quiet evening, a significant personal milestone, or a moment of deliberate solitude. While an experienced intermediate smoker may appreciate its nuance, novices should approach with caution — its layered profile can overwhelm an untrained palate. For those who have earned their palate through decades of exploration, a properly aged No. 2 remains a non-negotiable benchmark.
Bottom Line
The Montecristo No. 2 is the definitive Cuban torpedo — a masterpiece of balance and complexity that has earned its iconic status through generations of flawless execution. If you smoke only one premium cigar in your life, let this be it. Then buy a box and bury it for five years.
Similar Cigars
Explore all Montecristo (Cuban) cigars.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Montecristo No. 2 a strong cigar?
No — it is classified as medium strength (3/5). It prioritizes complexity and balance over nicotine punch, making it approachable for experienced smokers and entirely suitable for extended sessions.
What does Montecristo No. 2 taste like?
The flavor profile evolves dramatically across three acts: first third offers toasted almonds, white pepper, cedar, and sweet hay; second third introduces rich espresso, dark chocolate, leather, dried fruit, and honeyed sweetness; final third deepens into dark roast coffee, charred oak, black pepper, and a mineral earthiness with a lingering dry cocoa finish.
How long does Montecristo No. 2 take to smoke?
Plan for 90 to 100 minutes. The tapered foot requires a careful light and deliberate pace — rushing the No. 2 is a disservice to its construction and complexity.
What is the best pairing for Montecristo No. 2?
The canonical pairing is aged Cuban rum — Havana Club 15-Year or Santiago de Cuba Extra Añejo. Speyside single malt Scotch (Glenfarclas 15, Aberlour 16) works beautifully, as does a structured Rioja Gran Reserva or Brunello di Montalcino. For non-alcoholic options, a Cuban-style cortadito or single-origin dark roast cold brew mirrors the cigar's roasted cocoa and earthy tones.
Is Montecristo No. 2 good for beginners?
Generally no. Its layered complexity and length can overwhelm novice palates. It is best reserved for smokers who have developed the ability to discern subtle transitions in flavor and have the patience for a 90-minute session.
Where can I buy Montecristo No. 2?
Authorized La Casa del Habano (LCDH) retailers worldwide offer genuine boxes with verified provenance. Due to widespread counterfeiting, avoid purchasing from unauthorized online vendors, street markets, or non-certified tobacconists.
What is the price of Montecristo No. 2?
MSRP varies dramatically by market. Expect $45–$65 per cigar in most LCDH outlets. Pricing in the UK and EU is typically higher; grey and secondary markets may see significant premiums. Box prices fluctuate based on vintage, availability, and regional taxes.
Is Montecristo No. 2 worth aging?
Absolutely. While the leaves are aged a minimum of two years before rolling, post-production box aging of 3–5 years transforms the profile — the pepper softens, the sweetness deepens, and the earthy components meld into a more integrated whole. A properly aged No. 2 (5+ years) is widely considered transcendent.
What wrapper does Montecristo No. 2 use?
It uses a Cuban wrapper grown in the Vuelta Abajo region, specifically from the San Luis and San Juan y Martínez zones. The leaves are a blend of Seco and Ligero, finished in a Colorado shade — a medium-brown wrapper with a subtle reddish hue and a silky texture with a light natural sheen.
Where is Montecristo No. 2 made?
It is entirely handmade (totalmente a mano) at the H. Upmann factory (formerly La Corona) in Havana, Cuba. The piramide vitola is rolled by highly skilled torcedores who specialize in the demanding tapered-foot construction.